League One In Focus

Week beginning 10th December 2006. What has been happening in League One this past week?

Club News

Blackpool
The Seasiders managed to secure the signature of Latvian defender Kaspars Gorkss, with local television holding interviews with the new signing and president Valery Belokon.

On the pitch the team played Scunthorpe United on Friday night and beat the then second placed side 3-1 with Andy Morrell and Wes Hoolahan scoring before the later received two bookings and subsequently a red. This was followed by a Keigan Parker goal along with a consolation goal from Scunny through Ian Baraclough. This meant Pool moved into eighth place and United drop to third.

Bournemouth
After a woeful 4-0 defeat at the hands of Port Vale the Saturday before, The Cherries succumb to an FA Cup shock from League Two outfit, Bristol Rovers when they lost 1-0 at home with former Blackpool frontman Richard Walker scoring. After this defeat, Kevin Bond (manager) said ‘We needed to be resilient and try to get an ugly win, but we didn’t really have the players available to us to create much of a threat” but had time to say “I thought Darren Anderton was magnificent out there.’ A nice touch after an embarrassing defeat!

Bradford City
An extra time own goal from Nathan Doyle was enough to sink City in this year`s FA Cup as they lost away at Millwall for the second time in four days. The match finished 1-0 to The Lions. Bradford must be gutted as they missed out on a money spinning tie away at Stoke City!

Meanwhile veteran striker Dean Windass received death threats from opposing fans after a horror tackle that earnt him a suspension and a fine from his club. Trivial fact: His wife is a copper!

Brentford
After sacking manager Leroy Rosenior, The Bees have delayed naming their new gaffer until at least this coming week. They need more time to conduct secondary interviews.

Bristol City
Striker Phil Jevons won the FA Cup player of the round, as he polled over 51% of fans votes after a first half hat-trick against Gillingham in their second round clash that ended 4-3 to City. However, getting through won`t matter to Jevons as he will be at the cup final in May as he has received a VIP invitation!

Defender Christian Ribeiro has signed his first professional contract with the club.

Chesterfield
Defender Jamie Lowry could be out for the rest of the season after contracting glandular fever.

Crewe Alex
Dario Gradi`s side still leak goals wherever they play, which prompted the manager to say ‘We know we have to improve our defending throughout the team because we are giving away some really cheap goals because of our own mistakes.’ The recall of former Blackpool loanee Andy Taylor (who was first choice left back at Gresty Road) by Mark Hughes at Blackburn added insult to injury.

Doncaster Rovers
Donny made it through to the next round of the FA Cup as they beat Mansfield Town 2-0 thanks to goals from Mark McCammon and Paul Heffernan. They will play Bolton Wanderers at home on January 6th and they will be hoping their giant killing in the League Cup can be carried through into the biggest domestic competition in the world.

Leyton Orient
Orient were stunned by League Two side Torquay United as a brace from Jordan Robertson helped United put their league troubles behind them and book an FA Cup third round meeting against Southampton.

Daryl McMahon extended his loan at Notts County until mid January.

Millwall
As above in the Bradford section, The Lions won through an own goal in the replay of their Second round tie with City and will play Stoke in the next round.

Charlie Lee extended his loan from Spurs.

Nottingham Forest
Forest overcame Salisbury in the televised FA Cup replay with goals from Nathan Tyson and Nicky Southall with the later goal being very debatable.

Manager Colin Calderwood stated that he “went into the dressing-room to speak to their manager and congratulate the players because I thought they were excellent,’

Port Vale secured the services of on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder Ross Gardner for a second month.

Rotherham United
The Millers` top scorer, Will Hoskins rejected a contact offer, leaving his future at Millmoor in doubt. Manager Alan Knill reacted badly, saying ‘We’ve made an offer and I believe his advisers have told him to turn it down, I’m very disappointed.
‘What can you do? You try and convince the player that it’s best for him but the ball’s now in his court.’

Scunthorpe United
Chairman Steve Wharton came out and told the national media that both Billy Sharp and strike partner Andy Keogh are to stay at the club, until at least the end of the season. However, he failed to rule out selling the hotshots in preseason.

Swansea City
Swans gaffer Kenny Jacket is keen for left back Marcos Painter to stay on for longer after his loan deal is up. The former Blackpool target has caught the eye at The Liberty Stadium.

Shaun MacDonald will be out of action for at least a month.

Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere have dismissed talk that they could become a feeder club to Liverpool as part of the takeover of the Reds by the Dubai International Capital group.

The club said ‘It is essential that the club has its own identity” in a statement.

Yeovil Town
Yeovil have clinched Marcus Stewart on a permanent deal following his loan move from Bristol City. The deal will be concluded on January 1st, as Stewart`s contract was paid up and terminated last week at Ashton Gate. He cannot play until New Years Day for the club.

Results
Friday:
Scunthorpe United 1 – 3 Blackpool
Tranmere P – P Crewe

Saturday:
Gillingham 1 – 1 Bournemouth
Bradford 1 – 0 Chesterfield
Port Vale 1 – 0 Brentford
Oldham 1 – 1 Brighton
Bristol City 1 – 0 Millwall
Swansea 5 – 0 Carlisle
Cheltenham 2 – 0 Rotherham
Huddersfield 1 – 1 Northampton
Nottm Forest 1 – 3 Leyton Orient

Table
1 Nottm Forest 22 44
2 Bristol City 22 40
3 Scunthorpe 22 39
4 Oldham 22 36
5 Tranmere 21 36
6 Swansea 22 35
7 Yeovil 21 34
8 Blackpool 22 32
9 Port Vale 22 32
10 Brighton 22 31
11 Doncaster 21 30
12 Carlisle 22 30
13 Bradford 22 29
14 Gillingham 22 28
15 Crewe 21 27
16 Chesterfield 22 27
17 Huddersfield 22 26
18 Northampton 21 24
19 Rotherham* 22 22
20 Bournemouth 22 21
21 Leyton Orient 21 21
22 Cheltenham 22 21
23 Millwall 22 21
24 Brentford 22 18

Next Weeks Fixtures
Tuesday, 19 December 2006
Northampton v Leyton Orient, 19:45
Tranmere v Crewe, 19:45


Friday, 22 December 2006
Millwall v Scunthorpe, 19:45


Saturday, 23 December 2006
Bournemouth v Blackpool, 15:00
Carlisle v Brentford, 15:00
Cheltenham v Bristol City, 15:00
Chesterfield v Huddersfield, 15:00
Doncaster v Nottm Forest, 15:00
Leyton Orient v Crewe, 15:00
Oldham v Northampton, 15:00
Port Vale v Brighton, 15:00
Swansea v Rotherham, 15:00
Tranmere v Gillingham, 15:00
Yeovil v Bradford, 15:00